A teenager has been charged in connection with a motorcycle that was stolen in Massachusetts and recovered in Wallingford last week.
The incident unfolded after officers were dispatched to Walmart at 844 North Colony Road last Friday at 4:16 p.m. when they received the report that a stolen motorcycle was being sold there, according to Chief John Ventura of the Wallingford Police Department.
The owner of the bike, which was stolen from West Springfield, Massachusetts, was at the scene and had alerted authorities, Ventura said. As an officer entered the parking lot the motorcycle and a pickup truck were spotted.
According to Ventura, an individual on the motorcycle immediately took off quickly. The officer was able to stop the pickup truck driver.
Another officer tried to stop the motorcyclist, but they refused and continued fleeing the area, Ventura said. Ventura said officers at the scene learned where the motorcyclist was headed.
Police responded to the undisclosed location and detained a 16-year-old, according to Ventura. The teen was charged with larceny of a motor vehicle after police were able to verify that the vehicle identification number on the motorcycle matched the one stolen from Massachusetts.
The juvenile was taken to the police department and later released to the custody of a parent. The teen is expected to answer to a judge in juvenile court.
“The Wallingford Police Department remains committed to aggressive enforcement against motor vehicle theft and thanks the public for their assistance in this matter,” Ventura said in a statement.